Abstract A light weight, low cost, solar heating system is provided for use with homes and other buildings. Solar heating panels are mounted on a roof or other support and connected to the building''s heating system. Water or other liquid medium is pumped to the elevated upper end of each unit and is allowed to drain down through each panel by gravity feed back into a storage tank where the heated water is circulated, on demand, through the building. Each heating panel is comprised of a rigid foam plastic frame having a back wall over which is disposed a reflective stratum. A sheet of plastic material having a black surface is bonded to the reflective stratum along spaced parallel lines to define a plurality of parallel channels extending lengthwise of the panel. Manifolds are provided at opposite ends of the panel to feed water into and drain water from the channels. Spaced layers of flexible, transparent plastic film are mounted to the frame across the front of the panel to pass radiant heat from the front to heat water in the channels and trap the heat absorbed by the panel.
A solar heating panel, comprising a. a frame of rigid foam plastic material formed with a flat rear wall and integral marginal side and end walls extending from one face and along the edges thereof, b. a relective stratum disposed over said one face of said rear wall in flush face to face contact therewith, c. a ply of waterproof plastic black body material bonded to said stratum along spaced parallel lines extending lengthwise of said panel to form a plurality of elongated, parallel thin and relatively flat channels between said end walls, d. said end walls being hollow and communicating with said channels, e. conduit means connected to said end walls for delivering a liquid medium into one end wall, through said channels and from the other end wall, and f. a plurality of strata of transparent plastic flexible sheet material mounted to said side and end walls in spaced parallel relation to one another and to said rear wall, and, g. spacer members of rigid foam plastic material mounted along said side and end walls between each stratum of sheet material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A solar heating panel, comprising a. a frame of rigid foam plastic material formed with a flat rear wall and integral marginal side and end walls extending from one face and along the edges thereof, b. a relective stratum disposed over said one face of said rear wall in flush face to face contact therewith, c. a ply of waterproof plastic black body material bonded to said stratum along spaced parallel lines extending lengthwise of said panel to form a plurality of elongated, parallel thin and relatively flat channels between said end walls, d. said end walls being hollow and communicating with said channels, e. conduit means connected to said end walls for delivering a liquid medium into one end wall, through said channels and from the other end wall, and f. a plurality of strata of transparent plastic flexible sheet material mounted to said side and end walls in spaced parallel relation to one another and to said rear wall, and, g. spacer members of rigid foam plastic material mounted along said side and end walls between each stratum of sheet material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A solar heating panel according to claim 1 wherein said sheet material is heat shrinkable and each stratum of material is heat shrunk over said panel and said spacer members to connect said panel, spacer members and strata into a sealed unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
72 words
A solar heating panel according to claim 1 wherein said side and end walls are formed with a marginal recess along their upper outer edges and each of said spacer members is formed with a cooperating Recess along its lower inner edges for mating engagement with the recess of said side and end walls and another recess along its upper outer edges for mating engagement with a similar spacer member nested thereon.